Best Portable Toilets 2017 – Camping Toilet Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Camping, boating, hiking - all are exciting recreational activities that anyone would love to do - until it’s time to answer the call of nature.

And I’m sure you ain’t looking forward to use bushes, public restrooms, haunted huts - Specially on a rainy day or in the middle of the night.

If so, I can give you the only solution which I’m sure will send you all over the moon.

And since you’re here, I think it’s safe to assume that you already know it. Let’s get to know it better, shall we?

What Are Portable Toilets?

Like the name itself suggests, these toilets are portable - yes portable! Which also means that they’re light in weight, don’t need to be rooted to one place, and could be taken to any place you want - even to the farthest corner of the woods you dream to venture.

They aren’t new to the market, in fact, they’ve been there even before you did. But the market has never been like it is now - with highly innovative and convenient brands that look and feel very un-toilet like.

And trust me, by the end of this post, you’ll have your wallets open and minds set to buy a porta potty in a heartbeat.

So read on!

What to Look for in a Portable Toilet?

These toilets don’t boast many bells and whistles because the manufacturers need to keep the weight at minimum. So the good news is that shopping for a porta potty isn’t going to be difficult.

However, to broaden your understanding on what to look for, let’s learn about the basic types of portable toilets.

Bucket toilets

Shaped like a bucket with a toilet seat, these toilets have the least features. They’re also cheaper than the other models, and as a result are widely used, specially by campers. There’s no flushing involved, and your wastes will either have to be collected into bags or directly disposed off the bucket.

However, the most important thing to note is that, these toilets are more portable than flush toilets, yet bulkier than a foldable toilet.

Foldable toilets

Though a teeny bit more expensive than a bucket toilet, a foldable toilet is both compact and light in weight. This makes it the ultimate choice for portability and storage. It mainly has three foldable legs, a seat and a mesh to hold a waste bag.

Flush toilet

These are the fanciest portable toilets on the market right now. They’re usually more expensive than the above models, but there are certain brands that offer them at an affordable price. With mainly two sections, one holding water and the other holding waste, these toilets are odourless enough to provide nearly a homely-toileting-experience.

Don’t have your hopes up for a powerful flush because these toilets try to use water very economically so that the waste tank won’t fill up fast.

Now let’s officially delve into what to look for in a porta potty.

Height

Do you have an aching knee? Or a cramping leg? Give it some thought and decide the height you’ll be happy with. My best overall pick is the tallest toilet in my review and it’s the most comfortable of all. However, the height may restrict the level of portability and the storage space.

Size

Most of the best portable toilets, such as the ones in my review, can comfortably accommodate anyone. But if you’re more heavily built, and don’t fall into the category of ‘average’, then the size becomes of utmost important.

So when you do check into the specifications related to size, don’t forget to include the size of the toilet seat and the bowl as well.

Tank capacities

High tank capacities like 4 or 5 gallons are good if there are many people expecting to use it. If not, a capacity of about 2.5 gallons would do a fine job.

Carry handle

Make sure the porta-potty you choose has a sturdy handle that’ll make transporting it a whole lot easier. Also, if you’re shopping for a flush type toilet, don’t forget to see the condition of the waste tank’s handle.

Toilet paper holder

This may seem to be a minor feature, but the level of comfort it adds is definitely not anywhere near minor. While there can be better models without this feature, don’t give up considering it altogether.

Tank level indicator

This is another important comfort feature. With this, you can easily know when the time’s up to empty the waste tank and to refill the water tank.

Tips to Maintain a Portable Toilet

Forgive me for my bluntness, but dealing with shit is anyway going to be shitty. But I’ll help you make it less shittier - period.

At some point, all portable toilets need to be emptied of its waste. But before we discuss about that process, let’s talk about the steps that can be taken to eliminate foul smell.

Make sure the toilet lid is closed when not in use.

Use a deodorizer with a likeable scent

If possible, shop for a chemical that can be used to break solid wastes into finer particles.

Wash the toilet thoroughly after emptying it.

Here are the tips to emptying a porta-potty.

If it’s a flush toilet,

If it has a level indicator, see whether the waste tank is nearing its maximum capacity.

Have your gloves and a mask ready.

Unlatch the waste tank and carry it to a pit, septic tank, or a real toilet.

Empty it, hold a horse and wash it thoroughly.

If it’s a bucket or a foldable toilet,

Place any recommended bag inside.

After every use, fill a layer of soil, peat moss or kitty litter.

Once the bag is hallway full, fold the top, remove it and compost it.

Rinse the bucket well with a good detergent and a germicide.

However, you should always, always stick to the product manual. While these are the common points that are safe to do, your manufacturer may have some suggestions unique to the product itself.

10 Best Portable Toilet Reviews - 2017

I have a review prepared just for you. They are the best portable toilets on the market and you won’t have trouble finding your way towards the ideal one for you. So, happy porta-toileting!

Best of the Best Portable Toilet

If you want to pee at home, even while camping, sailing, cruising, or RVing, then Thetford 92360 Porta Potti is a toilet you should consider buying. At 17-5/8 inches, it has the height of a real toilet and a large bowl that won’t restrict your bowel movements in any way.

Its best feature, however, is its convenience in terms of cleaning and stability. When the water tank is filled with water, it gives a stable and a solid toilet to sit on. The waste tank, which can hold about 5 gallons, has a great carry handle to make emptying it easier. What’s more, you even have an integrated toilet paper holder - so no more messing with toilet paper.

I personally think that the manufacturers of Thetford 9236﻿0 have thought of almost everything when it comes to a portable toilet, except for the lid. It’s made up of thin plastic which can’t be used as a seat. Apart from that, everything works flawlessly. However, you shouldn’t forget that it has a battery-powered flush. So have an extra set of batteries, just in case.

Pros

Comfortable height

Great flushing mechanism

Easy to fill and empty

Stable and solid

Doesn’t smell

High capacity waste tank

Clear water-level indicators

Easy to store a toilet paper roll

Sleek and stylish

Cons

Lid cannot be used as a seat

The circuit may corrode over time

All in all, I can’t recommend it enough - and so can’t the buyers on Amazon. If I were shopping for a porta-potty like you, then I’d be checking it out on Amazon, again and again and again - until I could afford it!

Best Value for Money

If you’re overlooking the Thetford 92360 Porta Potti, then the price tag could be a reason. If so, I can’t think of a better replacement than the Camco 41541 toilet. It’s light in weight at 11.5 lbs, which makes it easy to carry yet strong enough to hold down even the heaviest among you. It would make an ideal buy, and if purchased would set your mind at ease the next time you camp.

Though the flushing isn’t the most powerful, it does a job well done. After all, there’s only so much a portable toilet can do, specially a one that’s quite cheap. On a brighter side, it doesn’t smell, nor leak. It’s also easy to clean, and if you’re a loner, its high capacity would make it last for nearly a week until it’s ready to be cleaned.

Pros

Lightweight

Seals all bad smells

Flushing is good as far as it goes

Comfortable & Easy to use

Solid construction

Cons

The handle is a bit tricky to use

Small bowl

Camco 4154 doesn’t boast many bells and whistles, nor the feel of a real toilet, but it quite smoothly does what it’s supposed to be doing - and at the end of the day, that’s all what matters. It also falls right into the budget of most buyers, which makes it more affordable. Everything leads it towards being the toilet with the best value. So don’t forget to drop by Amazon and see whether it’ll fit you as well.

Best Budget Camping Toilet

The Luggable Loo Portable toilet is one of the very basic of its kind. At first glance, it may look more like a bucket than a toilet. But with its convenient 15-1/2 inches height, just 3 pounds of weight, and a snap on lid that shuts off all bad odour, it completes the basic requirements of a portable toilet.

It also has a high capacity of 5 gallons, which makes it much easy to clean. Cleaning could be made even more easier by turning a brown paper bag inside out and placing it inside the toilet. Then simply dispose the bag once it’s full.You can consider buying the Double Doodie waste bag too, and it’s sold by the same company. However, I believe that any bag would do.

Pros

Comfortable toilet seat

Lightweight for easy transportation

Convenient height

Inexpensive

Cons

Limited features

This isn’t the most hygienic portable toilet out there. But given what you pay for it, I don’t think it should be a reason to complain. It has no guesswork either, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting. And since it’s very durable, it could be used for a lifetime and you can even pass it on to your grandson - if he wishes.

When it comes to design and convenience, this bucket style toilet has received more attention from the manufacturers than the Luggable Loo toilet. In fact, it looks scarcely like a bucket. And inside it, there’s a separate, removable bucket which could be taken out for emptying and cleaning purposes. This takes cleaning to a whole new level.

You can also use a Double Doodie waste bag, or any other recommended bag, inside the smaller bucket and carry it to where the waste will be disposed. This way, you don’t have to worry about any possible leaks.

Another unique feature which is found in this model is the built-in toilet paper holder. This increases the level of comfort expected from such a portable unit. The package also includes an Eco-fresh packet to keep the toilet deodorised. If you like the smell, you can order more of it or stick to your old deodoriser.

Pros

Easy to clean

Highly portable

Very light in weight

No bad odours

Affordable

Stores toilet paper

Fairly comfortable seat

Cons

The height could be inconvenient

I also noticed the countered toilet seat, which is way more comfortable and conveniently wide. It’d accommodate anyone and the unit as a whole is sturdy enough to hold over 400 pounds of weight. Evidently, this Hassock toilet seems to be better in many ways. But it isn’t as tall and obviously costs a little more. The capacity too, is lower. If it still fits you just fine, then don’t forget to check the price on Amazon.

Functionality and the price are the main reasons that make Palm Springs Outdoor 5 Gal toilet a best-seller. It can hold up to 2 gallons of fresh water which could then be used for a simple cleansing of the bowl. You may not experience a home-level flush, but it still washes clean enough for the next person to use it.

The waste tank has a delightful high capacity of 5 gallons. If fewer people are using it, the chances are, it might even last for nearly a week. And when it’s ready to be emptied, simply unlatch it and carry it away to dump it. But mind you, a full tank may weigh you down!

At 16.5 inches in height and about 9 pounds in weight, it is tall enough and light enough to perfect your outdoor toileting needs. However, if you’re a heavily built person, then you might not find the bowl to be at a desired depth. This could be disappointing, but not so much if you remind yourself that this is only a portable, temporary toilet that you paid chicken feed to buy.

Pros

Odourless

Comfortable to sit on

Large, easy-to-empty waste tank

Convenient design

Light in weight

Affordably priced

Cons

The bowl may feel shallow

In a nutshell, Palm Springs Outdoor 5 Gal is an affordable, high capacity toilet with a comfortable, lightweight design which is also surprisingly sturdy enough to accommodate a hefty person. So it’d be a waste to let it go without at least a peek at Amazon.

The design was the first thing that caught my attention. But there’s more to it than its looks. Unlike other flush-type portable toilets, this Model: 268 has a wider seat for added comfort. It generously gives more room even for an overweight person to sit on comfortably. While at the same time, its perfect square shape takes up more footprint to even out and accommodate anyone without falling off-balance.

Over and above everything, it has a high capacity waste tank of about 5 gallons. This brings down the number of times needed to empty it. However, like most other portable toilets, the flushing isn’t the best. But it’s better than the models under the similar price range.

Odours are handled exceptionally well too. You won’t be treated with any foul smells except when the valve opens up to take the newly added waste in as you flush. There are also indicators for the level of fresh water and the waste. For the price, I was surprised to find this small, yet useful feature.However, the only complaint that’s hard to overlook is its shallow bowl. If you’re a heavily built male, then I’m afraid that this toilet might not be convenient for you.

Pros

A Comfortable seat

Seals odour well

Emptying and cleaning it is easy

Convenient height

A replaceable flusher

Clearly indicates the water and waste levels

Better flushing

Cons

Bowl could be shallow

High capacity, low price and a flushing mechanism - If these were what you’ve been looking for, then Visa Potty Model: 268 is definitely worth considering. However, if you still need more convincing, then I think paying a visit to Amazon would do.

If you travel a lot by foot, or with limited space, then Cleanwaste Go Anywhere is the portable toilet worth considering. It has three foldable plastic legs, a lid that closes flat and a sturdy carry handle that completes the look of a briefcase. So carrying it will not make you feel like carrying a toilet.

Better still, the plastic legs aren’t flimsy. Sometimes they might be a bit tricky to unfold.

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So my advice would be to keep it ready as I’m sure you’d rather go to the bushes than struggle with it to answer the nature’s call. But then, as advertised, they’re strong enough to even support a weight of about 500 pounds.

The manufacturers have even thought of placing a net inside to support the Wag bags which are sold separately to dispose your waste. Why I prefer the Wag bags over ordinary bags is that they’re not only biodegradable, but also very convenient to use. However, when you add it to your shopping cart, along with the toilet, it ruins the picture of being affordable.

Pros

Easy set up

Folds flat for increased portability

Comfortable to sit on

Sturdy

Made of high quality

Long lasting

Cons

Wag bags are a bit expensive

Legs could be stiff

All in all, Cleanwaste Go Anywhere is an extremely portable unit sold at the lowest possible price on Amazon. It’s also easy to use, clean and maintain. If this is what you’ve been looking for, then hurry up and check it out on Amazon!

Dometic 301097202 is an easy choice to make if you need a compact, highly portable unit that’s also more affordable than not. At 12.5 inches, it doesn’t boast a height similar to a real toilet and mind you, that’s what makes it more portable.

The flushing is admirable compared to competitive units and it has a push button instead of a lever - eliminating the root cause of flushing-related problems associated to any unit.

Ideally, this porta-potty has two sections. The latter tank is for wastes that has a capacity of 2.5 gallons.

There’s a level indicator too, and once it displays an almost-full waste tank, you can safely unlatch it and dispose it into a toilet or a dump station - just like most other toilets of this kind. And since it’s short, it could be stowed easily - under a table, bed or stool.

Pros

A comfortable unit

Seals bad odours well

Compact design requires less room.

Lightweight

Pressurized, satisfactory flush

Cons

Short

At a glimpse, Dometic 301097202 is a unit made for those who don’t fuss about the height. So if storage space is important to you, and a cleaner waste removal process, then here is your buy. For pricing and shipping details, don’t forget to check it out on Amazon.

This chair-like toilet is another highly compact and portable unit, which best suits campers and hikers who have a very limited capacity to carry along.

It weighs only 4 pounds and folds flat enough to occupy very little storage space.

However, there are two steps to follow in order to get the maximum use out of it.

Pros

Lightweight

Highly portable

A plastic ring holds the bags well

Easy to clean

Convenient usage

Cons

Easily tipped over

Firstly, you need to place it on a solid, even ground. This will help the toilet to handle the weight as you sit on it. Secondly, you need to be considerate enough not to make too much of movement on it. If you did so, the chances are, you might tip over your own waste.

So I won’t recommend it for kids and adults over 200 pounds. But given its price, portability and convenience in disposing waste with a plastic ring that holds the waste bags in place, it’d still make a good buy. If you think the same, then drop by Amazon and check it out for real.

Earthtec ETEC is second only to my best pick as it lacks water and waste level indicators and an integrated toilet roll holder. Apart from those, it appears to be a very well designed and high quality toilet that makes buyers forget the extra few dollars they pay to get it. Its comfort features include over 16 inches of height, a generously wide toilet seat, and a high capacity 5-gallon tank.

This waste tanks comes with a sturdy carry handle and a rotating pour spout that doesn’t leave room for any unpleasant splashes. Simply disconnect it from the flush tank, carry it to the disposal site, and empty all the contents. This way, you can put your biggest worry regarding a portable toilet to rest.

It could also be used as a chair with a closed lid because everything is built so well. No odours whatsoever and you can also use a chemical that dissolutes solid wastes for better results. But even without it, this toilet handles the job well.

Pros

Easy to clean and empty

Doesn’t smell

Convenient height

Comfortable usage

High quality ensures durability

Cons

A small bowl

If you can save the heavy wastes to your real toilet, then there’s nothing Earthtec ETEC can’t handle. The flush isn’t the handiest either, but hey, this is only a porta potty. It’s durable, odourless, convenient and comfortable enough to make it worth buying and checking out on Amazon.